Globalisation and/or Europeanisation? The Case of Flexicurity

Abstract

The relationship between globalisation and Europeanisation is conventionally studied by focusing on the domestic level. In this article we explore this relationship at the international level instead. We examine the way in which the two phenomena in the form of the ILO and the EU relate to one another. Adopting a discursive institutionalist approach and focusing on flexicurity, we investigate whether, how and under what conditions the discourse on flexicurity provides a point of convergence or divergence between globalisation and Europeanisation. Our empirical data reveals attempts by the European Commission to use globalisation as a legitimating device for a market-accommodating programme for labour market reform. The ILO remains more sceptical, both about the overall effects of globalisation and the more concrete uses of flexicurity. Meanwhile, the concept of flexicurity is subject to change and rearticulation in line with the evolving policy agenda endorsed by the Commission and/or the member states. The relationship between Europe and globalisation is thus far from neutral. ‘Europe’ is active in shaping globalisation; translated into the work undertaken here, Europeanisation could be conceived as a facet of globalisation rather than as a bulwark to it, or merely as a process running parallel to it.

Keywords:

• Europeanisation
• globalisation
• discourse
• flexicurity
• EU
• ILO

Notes

Many thanks to our interviewees at the ILO and the EU for their time and useful insights. Comments and suggestions by the participants of the Political Economy Research Workshop, University of Sheffield, December 2011, as well as Colin Hay, Simon Bulmer, Vivien Schmidt, and three anonymous referees who greatly enhanced the quality of the article. All remaining errors are entirely our own responsibility.

We thank an anonymous referee for alerting us to this dimension of the debate.

The similarity in outlook between the views expressed in this consultation paper and the policy stance adopted by the European Commission and BusinessEurope on the issue of change and modernisation is evident. Note, however, that ‘Europe's Social Reality’ is not an official Commission document and does not necessarily express Commission views.

Unless otherwise stated this section draws on Boockman 2003.

This is an ILO publication. Note, however, that the document includes a disclaimer stating that the author expresses personal views and recommendations.